Marantz has introduced a hi-res-capable network receiver that provides access to half a dozen music streaming services, supports whole-house wireless streaming, and plays CDs — all from a compact chassis that can fit almost anywhere.

Fifty years ago on this day in Beatles history (Friday, April 18), George Harrison recorded to perfection the raucous guitar solo on “Old Brown Shoe” in Studio Three at EMI Recording Studios. After nailing the solo, he joined producer Chris Thomas in the control room to mix the song, which would be released six weeks later as the B-side to a song John Lennon and Paul McCartney had recorded a few days earlier: “The Ballad of John and Yoko”.

Onkyo and Pioneer today announced the release of a firmware update that enables AV receivers from both brands to use Apple’s AirPlay 2 wireless platform to stream music from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to speakers around the house and use Siri voice commands to control compatible products.

Sonos has announced an update that enables owners of the Sonos One smart speaker and Beam soundbar — both Sound & Vision Top Picks — to use Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant to access and control Apple Music.

If you’re hungry for new vinyl and somehow missed the festivities around Record Store Day this past Saturday (hey, it happens), fear not: A few hundred new releases are catalogued for perusal on the excellent website, RecordStoreDay.com.

The U.S. will continue to lead the way in smart speaker adoption as the category explodes around the world — especially in China — with an installed base that’s expected to grow 82% in 2019, according tech research firm Canalys.